Volunteer Owensboro and the Bluegrass Music Academy have partnered on a new project called Healing Arts Owensboro. The free and interactive website exists to connect local artists to vulnerable members of the community.
The initiative is the brainchild of local philanthropist Randy Lanham. As the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s education director, Lanham constantly organizes events at local nursing homes, shelters, hospitals, assisted living facilities, and hospices.
“This is about connecting local artists with local establishments, and it’s not just music – it’s all of the arts,” Lanham said. “We currently have 18 groups in our academy, and I’m constantly able to find volunteers when a nursing home calls. We want this to be an extension of that, a way for outreach-minded artists to teach and play for others.”
Local artists and facilities interested in participating can register at healingartsowensboro.org.
“Can you imagine how many other talented people are available in our community?” Lanham asked. “We could easily have an abundance of art and happiness at facilities across our community. Some people can’t get out and experience the arts, so we’re going to take it to them.”
Lanham said he wants the offerings to extend well beyond music and include visual art, theatre, and other performing arts. He added that the activities could be performances, but they could also be workshops, providing a diverse range of opportunities for artistic expression.
“Maybe it’s teaching someone how to draw or play an instrument, or maybe it’s teaching a new dance to a group of seniors or organizing a small performance,” Lanham said. “It’s a lonely world for some of these people, and you know thousands of artists must be in our community. You don’t have to be a professional.”
Local public and private schools have expressed interest in participating, which Lanham said will transcend their current outreach efforts. He said his goal is to show people that there is more to the community than just work, school, the grocery, sports, and festivals.
“This will give educators an outlet for extending their lessons beyond the classroom walls and something for students to look forward to,” he said. “This will teach the valuable lesson of volunteerism and having empathy for others. If you don’t live that life, it’s easy to pass a nursing home every day and not even know it’s there.”
Beyond Owensboro, Lanham hopes the concept will inspire other communities across the region, state, country, and even the world to follow suit. He said there is no money changing hands; it’s all about volunteering.
“I’m excited about the possibilities,” he said. “I’ve read about the power of arts and music therapy. This is an easier way to get connected. I’m a dreamer. I can see this connecting thousands in our community and creating a model for other communities to replicate.”
